Bishop to ordain men in two groups

January 28, 2016 | admin

SIMPSONVILLE—Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone will ordain 18 men to the permanent diaconate on Feb. 6 at 11 a.m. in St. Mary Magdalene Church, located at 2252 Woodruff Road. The public is encouraged to attend.

They are part of a larger class of 35 — an extraordinary number of men, supported by their wives and families — to pledge themselves to ministry.

The first group, comprised of 17 men featured in the Jan. 14 edition of The Miscellany, will be ordained by the bishop on Jan. 30 at Holy Spirit Church on Johns Island.

Deacon Andre Guillet, diocesan director of the diaconate formation program, happily told the men about all the joys that will come their way, and reminded them to be a reflection of Christ.

Men who seek the ministry must complete four years of study and many must balance jobs and family responsibilities during the process.

According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops website, the diaconate is the first of three ranks in ordained ministry. Deacons preparing for the priesthood are transitional deacons. Those not planning to be ordained priests are called permanent deacons. Married men may be ordained permanent deacons, and single men may be ordained with a commitment to celibacy.

The permanent diaconate is an important ministry for the diocese as the ordained men are responsible for clergy duties in the parish. They bring the Word to others, proclaim the Gospel at liturgical celebrations, and teach people about the faith. They assist priests during Mass, administer baptisms, witness marriages, preside at funerals and wakes, officiate at benedictions, and lead community prayer services.